What kind of student are you?
Over the past years teaching I have noticed many different types of people wanting to get involved in martial arts. Everyone has there own requirements and everyone thinks they are unique.
In most cases the new beginner (less than 10 years training) fails to reach there goals and give up. Why is this?
There are many reasons but I have noticed a trend in certain types of people and the way they are thinking. So I thought I would jot down my thoughts so we can all avoid being such a person.
In the broadest sense we can divide new trainees into 2 categories.
The first has no built up ideas about themselves and or the martial arts, they are there to learn and take the art as it is. They are open to new ideas and they don’t mind struggling, and in fact they normally struggle more than the average person. But that doesn’t bother them, they are strong inside and don’t need a “your doing so well talk, all the time”
The you get the second category, they think they know something, they only want to train if they learn x, y and z. they are normally there just to confirm that they know it all, these types are normally very weak individuals with no staying power. If times get tough there off. There cup is full and so have no room for learning new ideas, they may pretend to take in what they learn but it doesn’t stick, in mili-seconds they go back to doing what they think is right. They constantly want a pat on the shoulder and a lolly pop, and a “your so awesome” talk.
When training any traditional martial arts, there is a process we must ALL go through.
You may be lucky to start with something you enjoy and are good at, but at sometime or other you will have to do things your not good at and some things you don’t like. Normally this dislike for things only lasts a short period of time because when you understand the true value of something you tend to enjoy it more.
I have noticed this over the years in different ways, some love doing physical, they love getting sweaty and pushing themselves as far as they can, but when it come to getting correct technique, qi gong practice, talou (forms) these lot are off.
Then you have the ones who love to do the stretching and qi gong and some forms, but when it comes to physical and fighting practice they don’t like it at all.
We are all going to have things we favour and things we don’t, but the traditional martial arts where develop to train the whole of a person, body, mind and spirit. And sometimes that means doing what you don’t like. Normally we don’t like things because we are no good at them!! So it’s an in built mechanism to try protect our weak little egos. In order to be a well rounded martial artist ever part of you must be trained, no stone uncovered, no weak spot not sought out and strengthened.
I have no doubt that at times people have cursed me; I did my teachers when I was younger, and hey I may even offend some of you.
But my job is to try bring out the best in you – WITH YOUR HARD WORK.
And sometimes that means making you do things you don’t enjoy, telling you things you don’t want to hear, not giving you answers when you want them!!!!
To truly learn traditional martial arts we must train the spirit, this has to be done from different angles using different methods. When you think your there…………….
WHAM you’ll get told and soon realise you are not.
It happens to me all the time and this is good. It forces us to look at ourselves honestly. Don’t cover over the weak areas and just build up the strong areas.
Find out where you are weak in mind body and spirit and then work towards strengthening it.
8 PSYCHOLOGICAL STAGES OF MATIAL ARTS
INSPIRED BY, AND DRAWING FROM THE EXPERIENCE AND WISDOW OF OSENSEI NAGABOSHI TOMIO from simply wing chun kungfu by sifu shuan rawcliffe
PRIMARY PHASE
This phase of training is characterized by a general feeling of uncertainty and insecurity. There is a general nervousness that often surfaces as fits of frustration, misplaced egoism and even doubts about the style and the teacher. As many previously held ideas or beliefs are replaced by new ideas and concepts, so students incorrectly reasons that any previous training or knowledge is worthless. There mind is in turmoil, believing that they have previously learnt nothing.
SECONDARY PHASE
This stage develops along with the students newly acquired skills. As he replaces there feelings of emptiness with one of fullness and meaning, a sense of pride and achievement grows: an air of certainty and a positive attitude is apparent in his manner, practice and conversation. The student now states his opinion by appealing to the logic of there listeners.
TERTIARY PHASE
This stage develops more slowly than the first two as the student realizes that there knowledge is only superficial and that they must now train harder to refine and perfect there skills. At this stage the student becomes quieter and more amenable to discussion and debate; his mind is open, though never losing sight of there ideal and goals. At this stage an interest in the theoretical side often develops.
FOURTH PHASE
Throughout this phase the student is torn between two extremes, sometimes feeling confident and sure of his direction, at other times insecure and lost as to the way forwards. This is a very trying and difficult time for the student and their teacher. They are locked in an inner conflict, trying to attain mastery over there mind and body. this is often make or break time for most students; their forms often become either excellent or awful, and they begin to take notice of their friends and fellow students, listening to their advice with keen ears – and are easily influenced and misled. Confidence can readily ebb to an all-time low.
FIFTH PHASE
This stage sees the first dawning of understanding, appreciation and true confidence. If the student reaches this level, he will have attained a little direct wisdom in his training. He will begin to believe in his practice, and that he is finally on the correct path. He becomes much more interested in researching the style and its history.
SIXTH PHASE
This stage shows growth is confidence and ability. Now the student is probably assisting the teacher to teach the class, perhaps even teaching his own small class. Unfortunately he often believes that he has finally attained “the way”, and becomes satisfied and often somewhat egotistical. The danger is that he often mistakenly believes that he needs no further guidance or instruction. In his physical training this may, perhaps be true: in other ways it is far from true.
Fast and powerful attacks, defences and counter-attacks predominate here, alongside the desire to be “the best” – and the emphasis is usually solely upon fighting ability. This is when many students “go it alone”, driven by the desire to “educate” others and convince others of their skills and knowledge.
SEVENTH PHASE
By this stage and exceptionally high standard of practice, knowledge and understanding has been attained, the student’s inner struggles, turmoil and egoism have been resolved, and his direction and ideals are clear. The path to achievement of the highest and subtler levels of martial arts practice has finally been appreciated and understood, and the stage is now set for true learning and progression. Clarity of purpose and direction is apparent, and a high level of accomplishment and understanding is seen.
By this stage a true teacher has evolved, with the ability to disseminate techniques and to explain them physically, scientifically and theoretically in simplistic terminology. He has nothing left to prove either to himself or others, being driven neither by ego nor by financial reward. He teaches honestly and openly, training with his students, and not on them
EIGHTH PHASE
The final stage is beyond any classification; its holder has command of his inner self, and enjoys a peace and a harmony that are reflected in his teaching, training and lifestyle. He is truly “at one with himself and his art” he can know, understand and asses a student by talking to him, can judge his potential by watching him. He is respectful of others, and is respected by all who know him, setting the example that others wish to follow.
